Ready to get started? Take a look at my list of the best VPNs for Australia, guaranteed to cover your arse, let you access global content, and experience an unrestricted internet. I’ll also show you which VPNs to avoid entirely.

Short on time? Here are the best VPNs for Australia

NordVPN – High-speed connections on 276 Australian servers, double encryption for security, and SmartPlay DNS for easy international streaming.

ExpressVPN – Streaming-optimized servers and split tunneling so you can access international sites and local services at the same time.

Australia is at the back of the line when it comes to streaming and internet privacy. We pay full price for streaming services, but we’re only able to stream half the available content.

And we’re at risk because our government can access our private data without a judicial warrant. Australia is a member of the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance, too. Once our information is collected, it can be shared with international surveillance agencies. Law enforcement agencies can access some of your data, including your browsing activity, without a warrant. Other organizations can access this information, too—including your local council, the Australian Tax Office, and Centrelink.

When you use a VPN, your online activity is practically invisible. This means no blocking, no hacking, and no spying—only the freedom to enjoy all the internet has to offer.

We’re usually the last region in which filmmakers, streaming services, and game developers release content. Of Netflix’s 13,500+ titles, only 2,400 are available in Australia. Tired of being left behind? You can mask your IP address with a VPN to unblock thousands of streaming titles from other countries.

Similar Australian copyright laws force your internet service provider (ISP), like Telstra or Mate Communicate, to block torrenting sites. But if you want to share documents or files with your friends, you can use a VPN to bypass these blocks. Because your VPN keeps your online activity secret, your ISP can’t see the sites you’re visiting—and can’t block them.

Install your VPN and connect to a relevant server, such as a US server for US Netflix or a UK server for BBC iPlayer.

That’s it—you’re ready to go!

Tip: If you’re trying to unblock international content but running into an error message, you’re probably dealing with a VPN block. To fix the issue, just disconnect and try another server.

The Best VPNs for Australia – Full Analysis (Updated June 2020)

I tried over 300 VPNs, and I only found 10 services that I’m happy to recommend for Australia. After running speed tests to confirm they’re fast enough to use without lag, I checked each VPN’s privacy policy to confirm its security features. I’ll also continue to monitor these VPNs and any other I find to ensure this list is always up to date.

NordVPN is a top choice no matter where you are in the world. In fact, it consistently comes top in most of our reviews, whether that’s because of its lightning-fast speeds, reliability, or powerful unblocking capabilities.

It operates loads of local servers and is fast and easy to use, which means anyone can use it, whether you’re a tech-savvy user or not. And since a VPN in Australia is essential, you need a VPN that caters for all tech abilities.

The speeds are remarkably fast. Even when I connected to a US server and my data had to travel across the globe, I could still stream in high definition. I barely noticed a slow down while I was browsing, either. So no matter how many people are sharing your server, you have speeds guaranteed.

It uses 256-bit encryption, but you can take it up a notch by using Double VPN. This encrypts your data twice and routes it through two servers, making it impossible for anyone to trace your activity, so you stay undetected by your Australian ISP which is trying to track you.

NordVPN doesn’t log any of your browsing activity, and it’s based outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. So there’s no risk of your data being left behind or leaked to government agencies looking to trace your online traiffc.

There’s an automatic kill switch that stops unprotected data from leaving your network if your connection fails, as well as DNS leak protection. This is essential in Australia, especially if you’re torrenting, because it prevents potential browser security flaws from revealing your browsing activity to your ISP. And as you know, Australia is pressing down hard on unprotected torrenting.

NordVPN operates 5,400+ servers across 55+ countries. You can enable SmartPlay DNS to seamlessly access geoblocked streaming sites, too. I was able to stream Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and HBO GO from Australia with no hassles, so you don’t need to wait for content to appear in Australia – you have the latest titles whenever you need them. NordVPN refreshes its IP addresses often enough to evade VPN blocks, too.

You can get in touch with the support team via live chat – they’re online 24/7. And if you’re ready to give it a try, use its 30-day money-back guarantee to test it out.

Want to know more? Explore our NordVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.

ExpressVPN holds second spot, and quite rightly so. From it’s super-fast speeds, to it’s flexible split tunneling feature, it has a lot to offer. And it’s one of the few services that you can use on several gaming consoles and smart TVs without having to install it on your router first.

You have more than 3,000 servers on hand, including 100 dotted around Australia, to give you plenty of connection options. So even if every user in Australia is trying to get onto ExpressVPN’s local servers, you still have lightning-fast connections. I had no noticeable speed loss during my tests.

If you want to unblock international sites without losing access to local services, you can switch on split tunneling. This feature lets you choose which apps use your local IP address and which use the server’s IP. When it’s on, you can stream Netflix US in one browser while you’re browsing ABC iview in another, so you don’t miss out on any Australian domestic sites, either.

You can use ExpressVPN to unblock all the major streaming services. I was able to stream Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Amazon Prime Video US, plus catch up on Showtime, too.

ExpressVPN is fast. Although my speed dropped a little when I was using the US and UK servers, there was no drop when I was connected to an Australian server. I was able to share a large file with a friend via P2P with minimal lag.

ExpressVPN uses 256-bit encryption and keeps a strict no-logs policy, so not only are you completely invisible while you’re using the VPN, but you’re also protected after you log off. ExpressVPN keeps none of your personal information or browsing activity, so there’s nothing to expose you to your Australian ISP.

There’s also an automatic kill switch, and it offers perfect forward secrecy, which treats you like a new user every time you log on. It changes your encryption key each time, so anything from your last session is wiped and unrelated to your new session. There’s no link to trace back to you by government agencies, and there’s no risk of hackers, either.

Its strongest security feature, though, is its TrustedServer technology, which does away with hard drives in favor of RAM storage. RAM servers require constant power to write and retain information. When they’re rebooted, they’re wiped completely, so there’s no way to record any of your personal information.

Want to know more? Explore our ExpressVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.

New to VPNs? You can’t go wrong with CyberGhost. It’s easy to download, and there are simple step-by-step installation guides for every device, which is the reason why it’s always high in our reviews. The app is intuitive, and it only took me five minutes to get it up and running.

There are 6,000+ servers across 90 countries, including some high-security NoSpy servers. The NoSpy servers are independently operated in Romania and offer an extra level of security and anonymity, which is important in Australia where internet privacy is a luxury.

It has an automatic kill switch and leak-proof apps, which protects you against any exposure – an essential in Australia where you can’t run the risk of being found. Plus, it’s located outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, so you don’t have to worry about Australian law enforcement or government inquiries.

I really like CyberGhost’s app. It has several optimized profiles to choose from, including Unblock Streaming and Torrent Anonymously, so it’s easy for anyone to use, whether you’re a VPN newbie or not. I used the Surf Anonymously profile to block government surveillance while I was testing it.

When I switched to Unblock Streaming, I was able to access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO GO, and BBC iPlayer, so you have all the latest content that you can’t get anywhere else. There’s also split tunneling if you want to browse local Australian sites like your social media while you’re streaming.

I used its built-in adblocker to minimize disruptions while I was catching up on SBS Viceland. It removed all the ads without slowing down my browser like most ad-blocking extensions do. It means you can browse more quickly, but it also keeps you safe from online profiling and trackers that might compromise your online anonymity – not something you want in Australia.

I ran some speed tests on CyberGhost, too. I lost around 3Mbps when I connected to one of its US servers, but my speed only dropped by 0.5Mbps on the Australian servers. Australia’s internet is typically slow, but these small reductions weren’t noticeable when I was streaming or browsing, so you can continue as if you’re not even using a VPN.

It offers 24/7 live chat support, too, if you hit any roadblocks.

Want to know more? Explore our CyberGhost review to see the full results of our research and testing.

Surfshark is one of my personal favorites because I love a bargain, and it’s such good value for your money. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections so you can cover every device in your household without needing a second subscription.

It operates 1,040+ servers across 60+ countries, including Australia. But it isn’t clear about how many Australian servers it has. Often when there are only a few servers available, network congestion slows your connection speed. I ran a speed test while connected to an Australian server, and I was impressed by the results, so it looks like there are enough.

It’s fast enough to stream in high definition, and it can unblock Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, and BBC iPlayer, so you don’t need to miss out on your favorite TV show or movie, even if it’s not officially available in Australia yet.

I used its Whitelister split tunneling tool to access my online banking while I was streaming Shameless on Netflix US—without having to switch the VPN off. It’s great if you want flexibility to browse locally in Australia at the same time.

Surfshark offers some gold-standard security features, including 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and a built-in kill switch. All of these features provide you with maximum anonymity and privacy in Australia, so there’s no risk of your information being leaked, or even held in the first place. The kill switch is essential, as it protects you if your VPN connection is compromised. That way, your ISP and anyone else watching can never see which sites you’re looking at.

But it’s got other VPNs beat with its CleanWeb tool. CleanWeb blocks ads, malware, and phishing attempts. This is really useful because some of our best Australian sites, like Gumtree, are rife with scammers who post phishing links.

If you want to kick your security up a notch, you can use Camouflage Mode or NoBorders Mode. Camouflage Mode makes your VPN traffic look like regular traffic, which is useful for tricking your ISP while you’re streaming, and gives you extra anonymity. However, this mode does not encrypt your data, so it’s no good for torrenting.

Want to know more? Explore our Surfshark review to see the full results of our research and testing.

Living up to its name, Private Internet Access (PIA) is packed full of top-shelf security features to safeguard your sensitive information and anonymity. This makes it a great choice for the privacy-conscious in Australia and beyond.

Your sensitive data will never appear on the open web for opportunistic hackers, thanks to an automatic kill switch. Plus, I tested for DNS and IP leaks and was pleased to note that on several websites no leaks were detected.

Further protection comes from PIA’s strict zero-logging policy and MACE, the built-in malware, adware, and tracker blocker. MACE worked great when I tested it on some ad-heavy torrenting sites.

With over 50 Australian servers spread across three locations, you can access local sites, safe in the knowledge that you’re protected from any cyber threats.

PIA is not limited to local use. With its impressive global network of 3,200+ servers in over 40 counties, PIA has some success in unblocking streaming services from around the world. I could access US and UK, Netflix, HBO, and Showtime with no problems. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get access to Hulu or Disney+.

What you can stream will be smooth and lag-free thanks to impressive download speeds. With each server I tried, I regularly achieved way over the 5 Mbps required for HD streaming. If you’re more of a torrenting fan, P2P activity is allowed on all servers.

Enjoy an unrestricted and secure internet and with PIA’S 10 simultaneous device connections. PIA is compatible with a wide range of devices so the whole household can test all Private Internet Access has to offer risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Send a ticket to the customer support team if you encounter any problems, or consult the knowledge base of guides, tutorials, and FAQs on the PIA website.

With its own security protocol designed for streaming and speeds in one, VyprVPN is a popular VPN no matter where you are in the world.

VyprVPN’s proprietary Chameleon protocol scrambles your OpenVPN metadata to make it unrecognizable under deep packet inspection. This means you can use your VPN without your Australian ISP knowing. It also means it unblock lots of streaming services you can’t get access to in Australia, including Netflix US, while always delivering reliable speeds, so there’s no buffering.

There are 700+ servers across 70 countries, including high-speed servers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. If you need to get around geo-restrictions to watch content in Canada, the US, the UK, and many other countries, these servers will help.

VyprVPN uses military-level encryption, and it doesn’t keep any record of your browsing activity or usage. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited and verified, so you know you’re definitely anonymous down under. There’s also a built-in kill switch and an NAT firewall. This firewall blocks unrequested inbound traffic, denying access to hackers and bots, so your data is never leaked. And, no government agency gets hold of it.

You can use its automatic WiFi protection for an added level of security when you’re connected to a public network. The app automatically connects you to a server when it detects you’re on public WiFi. This is especially handy if, like me, you sometimes forget to connect and might expose yourself to prying eyes.

Want to know more? Explore our VyprVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.

In need of network-wide security? IPVanish is the best service for routers. Setup is easy, and there are detailed installation guides on its site. You can even order a router with IPVanish pre-installed.

It’s a no-logs VPN with 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch, so you have every level of security and privacy you need for Australia. IPVanish uses the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec protocols. It also supports SOCKS5.

Although it can’t unblock as many streaming services as NordVPN, I was able to watch Netflix US and HBO GO. I also used it to unblock YouTube videos that aren’t normally available in Australia, like my favorite Last Week Tonight clips.

It operates 1,300+ servers across 75+ countries, and it’s fast enough to stream in high definition, even if you’re far away from your server location. I tried a US server from Australia and had buffer-free, high-quality streaming. You can test it out with its 7-day money-back guarantee to make sure it works for your needs.

Want to know more? Explore our IPVanish review to see the full results of our research and testing.

ZenMate’s lightweight but feature-rich browser apps are a good choice if you’re trying to conserve RAM. They don’t encrypt traffic from other apps, but your browsing session is safe without compromising device performance.

The browser extensions use 128-bit encryption, and the desktop app uses 256-bit. 128-bit is still high enough to keep you truly secure in Australia, but the desktop app offers the highest level of security. ZenMate keeps a strict no-logs policy, and it offers perfect forward secrecy, so there’s nothing available to trace you – even if an Australian government official tried to. There’s also an automatic kill switch so no info escapes during unplanned disconnects.

I’m impressed with ZenMate’s performance. Its Australian servers are quick, and I suffered minimal speed loss when I switched to a US-based server. I was excited to discover that it can unblock Netflix, HBO GO, and Amazon Prime Video without buffering.

Support is available via live chat. I reached out to clarify its no-logs policy, and the representative was personable and efficient. Best of all? I found out that you can try the premium service free for 7 days. After that, there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Want to know more? Explore our ZenMate review to see the full results of our research and testing.

Most schools and workplaces use firewalls to restrict what you can access. UltraVPN is my top choice for bypassing firewalls so you can access YouTube and social media in your spare time.

UltraVPN operates 1,000+ high-speed servers across 100+ countries, including 5 Australian servers. I tested each server on my laptop. I noticed that when my local connection slowed down during peak usage times, UltraVPN was able to bypass the congestion and increase my speed.

I could also unblock Netflix US, Hulu, and HBO GO. Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer detected that I was using a VPN and blocked my connection, so if you want a VPN in Australia to stream British TV, you’d be better with a different vendor.

UltraVPN’s apps are very basic, but this works to its advantage. They’re easy to configure, even if you’ve never used a VPN before. They’re also available for all major platforms, including Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows, so you can take the VPN with you on-the-go and stay secure anywhere in Australia.

Want to know more? Explore our UltraVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.

SaferVPN is a great choice for extra WiFi protection, and all of it’s apps come with high-end security measures so you’re always anonymous.

Australian public WiFi networks leave a lot to be desired, especially when it comes to security. SaferVPN automatically connects when it detects you’re using a public WiFi network, so you’re never vulnerable to threats.

It uses bank-level encryption and a strict no-logs policy to secure your data, so even if government organizations come looking, there’s nothing to see. Plus, there’s an automatic kill switch to protect you from leaks. You can even pay anonymously with Bitcoin so SaferVPN doesn’t have any of your payment details on file, and there’s even less of your sensitive data online waiting to be found.

SaferVPN operates fewer Australian servers, so the network can become congested when everyone’s connected. During off-peak times, though, I found it super-fast.

It also operates 700 servers across 34 countries, and it refreshes its IP addresses frequently enough to avoid detection. While I was connected, I could easily unblock Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

Installation is easy with its step-by-step guides, and there’scustomer support on-hand 24/7 via live chat.

Want to know more? Explore our SaferVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.

During my tests, I found quite a few VPN that don’t operate Australian servers. Many will still work, but without local servers, you’re be stuck with slow speeds and you can’t access local content. These VPNs are still useful for other countries, but not Australia.

VPNBook

Although VPNBook is otherwise a trusty OpenVPN option, it doesn’t operate any Australian servers. I had to connect to its US or UK servers, which slowed my connection down dramatically. It also meant I couldn’t access local sites, like ABC iview. You find out more about VPNBook in our review.

hide.me

hide.me actually has Australian servers, but only two. They’re based in Sydney and Melbourne. With all its Aussie customers connected to the same two servers, I noticed a lot of network congestion. It was generally slow and hard to stream and torrent during peak times. hide.me is a great choice if most of your activity happens during the off-peak times, though. We go into further detail in our hide.me review.

AirVPN

Similar to VPNBook, AirVPN doesn’t operate any Australian servers. There aren’t even any servers in New Zealand that you can connect to instead. If you’re wanting to connect to a server in the US or UK, it might be a good choice, but not Australian. You can read more about this in our AirVPN review.

Research Methodology

I installed each VPN on my laptop and tested it periodically over a month in many use-cases. This included streaming Netflix and iPlayer, torrenting, online gaming, using Australia-only content abroad, and also doing local field tests. I made sure that the services I recommend have servers all over the country. That way, you can always connect to a quick, nearby server instead of sending your data across the country.

I only included VPNs that are fast enough to stream and download large files. I used speedtest.net and Oz Broadband Speed Test to check and compare the Australian server speeds.

All the VPNs on this list are secure and anonymous. I looked into their privacy policies and security feature to confirm that you can use them without the Australian government knowing your activity.

I also confirmed that each VPN on this list offers P2P-optimized servers so you can torrent safely.

Finally, I checked to make sure that they can bypass geo-restrictions and VPN blocks. I have only recommended VPNs that can unblock overseas streaming services.

FAQs

⚠️ Is it legal to use a VPN in Australia?

🦘 Can a VPN completely hide me from my Australian ISP?

A VPN can help you anonymize your traffic and information, which in Australia is essential. In fact, in the last 12 months, cybercrime has rocketed by 15%. A VPN helps you avoid this risk by hiding everything you do online, but there are some things it can’t do.

Regardless of whether you use a VPN, your ISP can still get access to your location, your device details, and your volume of traffic. What it can’t see, however, is exactly which sites you’re looking at and the personal information you post online. So although you’re not completely anonymous from your ISP, everything you do is, and that’s all you need.

🖥️ Will a VPN reduce my connection speed?

Yes, but with premium VPNs, the reduction is barely noticeable.

When you connect to a VPN, your data has to travel farther. It also takes some extra time to encrypt and decrypt your information.

To minimize this speed loss, connect to a nearby server in Australia whenever possible. Most VPNs offer a “best location” feature that you can use to select the fastest server based on your location and needs.

🌏 What’s the best Netflix VPN in Australia?

All of the VPNs I’ve listed can unblock Netflix US and UK from Australia. I’ve included a compatibility guide above each review to help you choose a VPN that grants you access to your favorite services.

📁 Can I torrent using a VPN in Australia?

If you’re a fan of torrenting, you’ll struggle to find your favorite content in Australia without the help of a VPN. The government considers torrenting copyrighted material a crime and has issued a slew of laws related to cracking down on torrenting throughout the years, with varying degrees of success.

The Three Strikes Rule in 2016 had ISPs notifying torrenters on behalf of copyright holders, but it was ultimately deemed too expensive to continue. However, this didn’t stop the Australian government from demanding that ISPs ban popular torrenting sites such as The Pirate Bay, TorrentHound, and SolarMovie.

When you use a VPN and connect to a server outside of Australia, you’ll gain access to torrenting sites so you can download whatever content you need. Because your connection and data are encrypted, no one can see what you’re doing—not even your ISP or the government.

Bottom Line

You don’t want to be in Australia without a VPN. Our invasive data retention and surveillance laws threaten your privacy, and you can’t even access Netflix’s full library.

A VPN lets you unblock international content and keeps your browsing activity out of the government’s hands. But not just any VPN will do. You need a service with top-level security features and an abundance of local servers.

NordVPN is my top recommendation for Australia. It operates 276 high-speed servers in the country and 5,400+ worldwide, and its SmartPlay DNS can unblock 140+ streaming sites. You can also use its obfuscation features to encrypt your data twice for extra protection from surveillance.

Follow our experts:

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